Kuba Tcaka or Dance Skirt

Brick red, eight feet long, patched and mended. Cloth that was used.

The Kuba Kingdom was formed in the 17th century when nineteen separate groups were united under one king, and its people became known for raffia cloth. Wrapped skirts like this tcaka, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, were worn for dances, ceremonies and funerals. This one dates to the 20th century and is just over three feet wide. It is dyed a deep brick red and scattered with appliqued and patched shapes in black and rose: angular hooks, chevrons, circles, small squares.

There are visible mends and worn edges along the gently rounded ends. Every mend is a vote of confidence.